Building Resilience in Healthcare Professionals

For practice managers, fostering resilience among their teams is crucial for maintaining a healthy, productive work environment amidst the daily pressures of healthcare. This article discusses Dr Sharief’s techniques, which can help mitigate stress and enhance team cohesion, ultimately improving patient care and staff wellbeing

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on BMA

With her unwavering positivity, Dr Sharief believes everyone can learn to handle stress through simple techniques like adjusting breathing and posture. She’s refined her training in challenging settings, from prisons to the Palestinian territories, drawing from her own experience of near-burnout as a junior doctor in Zimbabwe.

Dr Sharief, a GP for over 20 years and former medical director of Medway and Swale health and care partnership, was awarded an MBE for her mental health support project in Kent. Despite scepticism around mindfulness and meditation, she remains unapologetic about the need for health professionals to build personal resilience.

“We work in a gruelling environment,” she says. “The stress won’t go away, but we can learn to manage our minds.”

Systemic change vs. personal resilience

However, not everyone agrees with this focus on personal resilience. Consultant psychiatrist Andrew Molodynski argues that it places the burden on individuals rather than addressing systemic issues. He believes that improvements come from organisational changes, like increased staffing, which significantly reduce workloads.

“The focus should be on reducing the toxicity of the healthcare system,” he says. While personal resilience is important, Dr Molodynski insists that systemic changes are what truly make a difference.

Mindfulness and yoga: Not a panacea

Emergency medicine consultant Chris Turner is sceptical about the emphasis on personal resilience practices like mindfulness and yoga. He references research by US haematologist Tait Shanafelt, which suggests that personal resilience only accounts for about 20% of workplace wellbeing. The remaining 80% hinges on organisational efficiency and collegial connections.

“People hate not being able to do a good job, and that impacts their wellbeing,” says Dr Turner. He advocates for a collective approach, comparing a supportive work culture to a network where everyone’s strength comes from connection.

A balanced approach

Despite differing views, Dr Sharief maintains that personal and collective resilience training can coexist. Until the healthcare system receives substantial reforms, she believes in the power of simple techniques to boost energy and focus. Her training sessions aim to foster positive habits and improve team culture from within.

“In a team, one centred, positive person can make a difference,” she says. Testimonials from her non-profit, Manage Your Mind, affirm this, with healthcare workers noting significant improvements in their outlook and teamwork.

Practical tips for resilience

Dr Sharief offers practical advice for building resilience, focusing on the four ‘F’s:

1. Fuel: Eat healthily and stay hydrated.
2. Re-fuel: Prioritise good-quality sleep.
3. Form: Maintain good posture and practice breathing techniques like ‘box breathing’.
4. Focus: Write down worries and concentrate on what you can influence.

She also suggests setting small, achievable goals, doing practical things with newfound energy, and incorporating regular breaks and breathing exercises into the day.

Resilience in healthcare is a complex issue requiring both personal and systemic approaches. While systemic changes are crucial, personal resilience techniques, as championed by Dr Sharief, offer immediate tools to help healthcare professionals manage stress and improve their work lives. By blending both strategies, the hope is to create a healthier, more supportive environment for all.